Porter Cable 352 Sander glitches

[Ostbo]

Porter Cable 352 (type one and four) 3 x 21 sanders

Have experience with five of these exact model of sander - 3 with another company, two with my own company. Think very highly of them.

The first one we purchased for our company worked flawlessly for five years, at which time I decided to get a second one, a variable speed, to have as a finish sander for cab work, etc. - as we intended to use the older one for rougher work.

The "new one" (a type 4) is the first one of five that I've had in my hands that I couldn't perfectly finish sand anything with - from a 2x6 to sheet plywood. It leaves "divets" in anything I've sanded - divets that none of the other four ever did. Perplexed by this I tore it apart, side by side w/other sander, checked plates, everything. Did install new cork pad/shoe, looked for high spots, checked for straight, and reassembled. Still have same results.

My old one still sands perfectly. No divets. But the belt tracking has gone askew. It's very critical to adjust and hard to keep adjusted while sanding - wild swings right and left occur. Again, had them apart, side by side, didn't find anything "messed up" or different one to the other. Couldn't pinpoint a part to replace. Lubed and reassembled, no change.

Any suggestions, for either sander?

Thanks!

[Dale]

As far as the divots. I don't think i can help you. I have seen other sanders do that. but they have a build up of saw dust under the cork pad. And it sounds like you have changed your pads. As for the tracking problem. The rear pulley, the rubber one. Is convexed. To keep the belt on track. These do wear down and then no longer track. Hope this helps.

[Davidanthony]

Porter Cable 352 (type one and four) 3 x 21 sanders

Have experience with five of these exact model of sander - 3 with another company, two with my own company. Think very highly of them.

The first one we purchased for our company worked flawlessly for five years, at which time I decided to get a second one, a variable speed, to have as a finish sander for cab work, etc. - as we intended to use the older one for rougher work.

The "new one" (a type 4) is the first one of five that I've had in my hands that I couldn't perfectly finish sand anything with - from a 2x6 to sheet plywood. It leaves "divets" in anything I've sanded - divets that none of the other four ever did. Perplexed by this I tore it apart, side by side w/other sander, checked plates, everything. Did install new cork pad/shoe, looked for high spots, checked for straight, and reassembled. Still have same results.

My old one still sands perfectly. No divets. But the belt tracking has gone askew. It's very critical to adjust and hard to keep adjusted while sanding - wild swings right and left occur. Again, had them apart, side by side, didn't find anything "messed up" or different one to the other. Couldn't pinpoint a part to replace. Lubed and reassembled, no change.

Any suggestions, for either sander?

Thanks!

Hi, I have used my sander, 352VS type2 for about 3 years here in Guatemala, the only brand of belt that tracks perfectly for me is the FANDELI, all of the others I tried either came apart at the splice within minutes of use, or wouldn't track properly, the belt would run into the housing and cut into the guide, just never really trustworthy, always adjusting during use...